Summary : This is your ultimate chance to sail to the southern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, Peter I Island, the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas and into the Ross Sea. Visit Shackleton’s and Scott’s huts, McMurdo Station, the Dry Valleys and Campbell Island on a vessel equipped with helicopters for excursions to attempt to land on the Ross Sea Ice Shelf. Observe wildlife like nowhere else on this planet – elephant seals, royal albatross, gentoo and adelie penguins, polar skuas, orca and minke whales. Learn of important historical figures in the early era of Antarctic exploration and visit their rustic huts. Be prepared for unforgettable memories and the trip of a lifetime!

Campbell Island is a sub-Antarctic New Zealand Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with flourishing vegetation. The fauna on Campbell Island is fantastic with a large and easily accessible colony of Southern Royal Albatrosses on the main island, as well as breeding colonies of Wandering, Campbell, Greyheaded, Blackbrowed, and Lightmantled Sooty Albatrosses on its satellite islands. Watch for the three penguin species that breed here: Eastern Rockhopper, Erect-Crested and Yellow-Eyed Penguins. In the 18th century, seals were hunted to almost extinction, but Elephant Seals, Fur Seals and Sea Lions have recovered.

Known as the place where people wintered on the Antarctic Continent for the very first time. This is the hut where the Norwegian Borchgrevink stayed in 1899 is surrounded by the largest colony of Adélie Penguins in the world.

Sailing southward along the west coast of the Ross Sea, the captain may attempt a landing at the specially protected area of Cape Hallet with a large Adélie Penguin rookery. Further south, if the ice conditions allow, discover Terra Nova Bay, the Drygalski Ice Tongue and the Italian Mario Zucchelli Station.

In the Ross Sea, the intention is to visit Ross Island, guarded by Mount Erebus, Mount Terror and Mount Byrd. Experience the famous spots which played such an important role in the dramatic British expeditions of the last century – Ernest Shackleton’s cabin at Cape Royds, and Robert Falcon Scott’s cabin at Cape Evans. Visit the US-station McMurdo and Scott Base (New Zealand).

If ice and weather conditions are favorable, ride in a helicopter to land at favorite locations such as Taylor Valley, one of the Dry Valleys which is reminiscent of Mars. From McMurdo Station, there may be the chance to partake in a substantial 10 km hike to Castle Rock with a great view across the Ross Ice Shelf toward the South Pole.

Approach the Ross Ice Shelf, a floating mass of land-ice, with a front 30 meters high. In the Bay of Whales at the eastern side of the shelf, close to Roosevelt Island (named by the American aviator Richard E. Byrd in 1934 for President Franklin D. Roosevelt), Roald Amundsen gained access to the Shelf and ventured to the South Pole, where he finally arrived on December 14, 1911. Japanese explorer Nobu Shirase had his camp in this area at Kainan Bay in 1912.

Attempt a helicopter landing on the Ross Ice Shelf if conditions allow for it.

Sail through the Amundsen Sea along and through the outer fringes of the pack-ice. Watch for solo traveling Emperor Penguins, groups of seals on ice-floes, and also Orca and Minke Whales along the ice-edge, which are often accompanied by different species of fulmar petrels.

Peter I Island is an uninhabited volcanic island (19 km long) in the Bellingshausen Sea. It was discovered by Fabian von Bellingshausen in 1821 and was named after the Russian Tsar Peter I. It is claimed by Norway and considered a territory on its own. Sporadically visited by passenger vessels, Elephant Seals and colonies of Southern Fulmars and Cape Pigeons have been observed here. If weather conditions allow, attempt a helicopter landing on the glaciated northern part of the island.

Visit Detaille Island which was discovered by the French expedition of Charcot (1903-05) and named for a shareholder in the Magellan Whaling Company. From 1956 until 1959, The British Antarctic Survey had their “Station W” located on Detaille Island. Alternatively, visit the Fish Islands just north of the Antarctic Circle. The small islands lying east of Flouder Island are called the Minnows, first charted by the British Graham Land Expedition (1934-37) of John Rymill. Adélie Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags breed on the islands among myriads of large icebergs. You may set foot on the Continent for the first time in the stunning setting of Prospect Point.

Land on Pléneau Island, where fur seals haul-out on the beaches. Observe Gentoo Penguins, Kelp Gulls and South Polar Skuas. Pléneau Island was first charted by the French Antarctic Expedition of 1903-05 of Jean-Baptiste Charcot and was named after his expedition’s photographer Paul Pléneau. Visit Petermann Island with colonies of Adélie and Gentoo Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. Petermann Island was named after the German geographer August Petermann who was a member of a German Expedition in 1873-74. Later that day, head through the famous Lemaire Channel and set a course for the Drake Passage.

Arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, disembark the vessel and transfer to the airport.

Please Note: This trip ends on March 17, 2017, because you cross the International Date Line.

Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Mandatory Travel Insurance: As a requirement of participation on this expedition, all passengers must purchase insurance including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance. ExpeditionTrips strongly recommends at least $200,000 Emergency Medical/Evacuation coverage for Antarctic trips which includes coverage for cancellation, trip disruption, baggage and personal property. ExpeditionTrips can assist you with this.

Helicopter Flights:The vessel will be equipped with two helicopters. The use of helicopters helps to try to reach scheduled landing sites that otherwise are inaccessible and are included in the price of the trip. However, every passenger who participates understands and accepts that no guarantees can be given in regards to reaching sites or specific amount of helicopter time they will experience.

Included:Cabin accommodations and meals aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; free use of rubber boots on loan; ship-to-shore helicopter transfers if weather permits; pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia directly after disembarkation; shore excursions by Zodiac; program of lectures by naturalists; leadership by expedition staff; miscellaneous service taxes and port charges; comprehensive pre-departure material. Subject to change without notice.

Not Included:Airfare; pre- and post-land arrangements; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; travel insurance; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; customary gratuity for the ship's crew; fuel surcharge may apply.

Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save up to 40% per person in select cabin categories. Offer is based on availability, is subject to change without notice, and may not be combined with other offers. Please contact ExpeditionTrips for details.Applicable Dates: 2/15/2017

Single Supplement: Single travelers can choose between single occupancy at a supplement of 1.7 x the Twin or Superior cabin rate, or be matched up to share in Twin, Triple or Quad cabins if available at no additional cost.

Child Rate: Children 15 and under receive 40% discount in Quad cabins sharing with 3 adults, or Superior and Triple cabins sharing with 2 adults.

Ortelius

Overview : This ice-strengthened vessel allows for adventure into remote locations such as the Ross Sea. With room for 116 passengers, it contains many open-deck spaces for observation. The vessel offers simple but comfortable cabins and public spaces, two dining areas, a bar and presentation room. Voyages are primarily developed to offer passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. Plus some departures offer a chance to take to the air from onboard helicopters.

Cabin Description : The vessel offers simple but comfortable cabins and public spaces. 4 quad cabins with bunk beds (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins). 2 triple porthole cabins with bunk beds (these can also be used as quads or twin cabins). 27 twin porthole cabin with 2 single lower berths. 12 twin cabins with windows and 2 single lower berths. 2 twin deluxe cabins with windows and 2 single lower berths. and 6 superior cabins with double beds. Cabins are spacious with an outer facing porthole or window and private bathrooms.

Renata

United States

Research Ship
Ortelius

We just got back from our trip on the Ortelius. WOW!!!! It was fantastic. Everyone on board was so friendly and helpful. We loved the food and of course the excursions. The expedition staff worked really hard to find all the animals and we saw everything! It was truly one of the best trips we have taken, we will recommend it to anyone. Thank you again for your help with everything.

Fay

United Kingdom

Research Ship
Ortelius

I know I’ve given the formal feedback on board ship but just wanted to let you know what a great trip we had again this time. All the people involved work so hard to make it a good experience for us all.

All cancellations must be received in writing. Fees will apply for any change or cancellation as soon as a trip is confirmed. Cancellation penalties are based on the number of days prior to departure that the cancellation was received and are subject to change without notice. Non-appearance for program will result in no refund. We strongly suggest you obtain trip cancellation insurance. Failure to secure a valid passport, visa, or air arrangements does not waive this policy.

Cancellation Penalties:90 days or more: 20% of the total price89 to 60 days: 50% of the total price 59 days or less: 100% of the total price

Please note that a Medical Form signed by your doctor may be required for participation in certain trips.